Baseball Toaster was unplugged on February 4, 2009.
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1) using profanity or any euphemisms for profanity
2) personally attacking other commenters
3) baiting other commenters
4) arguing for the sake of arguing
5) discussing politics
6) using hyperbole when something less will suffice
7) using sarcasm in a way that can be misinterpreted negatively
8) making the same point over and over again
9) typing "no-hitter" or "perfect game" to describe either in progress
10) being annoyed by the existence of this list
11) commenting under the obvious influence
12) claiming your opinion isn't allowed when it's just being disagreed with
Russell Martin's dash home with the winning run Tuesday night for the Dodgers was mad, I tell you, mad.
Keep in mind that the sprint from second base came seconds after potential winning run Kenny Lofton was thrown out trying to advance from second to third on Martin's pop fly single to left with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth (Lofton misjudging how quickly Houston shortstop Adam Everett would be able to get the ball back to the infield). The next batter, Olmedo Saenz, then hit a liner to right.
Thus beganeth the mayhem:
In fewer than 10 seconds, there were three different ways for the Dodgers to pick up their second consecutive out on the basepaths. We could have had a very angry Dodger fan base. But Martin dodged every bullet. I guess Martin is ... a Dodger.
Martin's debut has been fairly fantastic, and he's rapidly winning hearts and minds everywhere. It will certainly be interesting when Dioner Navarro, who was turning his season around before he got his bone bruise, comes back from the disabled list. Obviously, the hot hitter who is 4-0 when he starts is going to get some votes, but we'll see what happens over time.
I'm always fascinated when a player comes up from Las Vegas and posts better numbers in the bigs than he had in AAA, as Martin is doing. Willy Aybar was another example of this last year (as was Navarro himself, almost). You'll see some 0 for 4s and some fielding miscues from Martin soon enough, but it has been a lovely beginning. He has shown a good knowledge of the strike zone, hit with power and moved with agility behind the plate.
I'm still partial to the idea of Martin and Navarro sharing the catching job in the majors. I still believe that 3 1/2 games a week is plenty of work for a young catcher to stay involved while also staying fresh, and that Sandy Alomar, Jr. would best serve the team as a coach and off-roster stand-by in case someone gets hurt, but I know many disagree with me.
* * *
Update: Unable to play a man down for even a week while carrying 12 pitchers, the Dodgers announced they have placed Jason Repko on the disabled list and called up last year's September Sunshine, Willy Aybar, who as most of you know has been the organization's best hitter in AAA Las Vegas.
* * *
I call him Paul LoDuca, except with talent.
Martin will be catching for the Dodgers for a long time to come.
First, which do you all think is the real Navarro -- the one from the last part of '05 or the one thus far this year ??? BTW, did he have the same aversion to blocking balls in the dirt last year ???
Secondly, if the '05 Navarro is the real one, is there any possibility of Martin going the Craig Biggio route from catcher to 2B and/or CF ???
I should make it clear that I don't expect to see Martin and Navarro splitting time this year without Alomar getting hurt - at least until September.
Makes sense to me but do you think the Dodgers will carry 3 catchers for a while? What will they do with Alomar? I do not see them moving him.
Is Donnelly known as an aggressive 3B coach?
9
And I'm all for a job share between Martin and Navarro.
Anyway, the right throw would have made it more interesting.
Is anyone known as a passive 3B coach?
I don't think the SS was out of position OR Wilson screwed up. If you watch the replay our guy was JUST touching the bag when Wilson got the ball...he probably figured there was no way in you know where that he'd go home...he'd have to be insane to do that...but he did it, and it worked out. He probably figured the guy isn't going home, so a throw him will only advance the runner on first to second.
I think we basically just surprised him kinda like what Lofton did to Roberts the other night.
Obviously, Ethier was not insane to go home, so I don't know how the Houston defense could be blameless.
In the long run, the team should decide which one they want, and trade the other. I don't think we've reached that point, though.
Meanwhile, break up the Royals, three game sweep of the Indians. And the Mariners continue to be offensively... offensive. Bringing this back to the topic at hand, too bad they don't really need a catcher, or Navarro could be trade bait with them.
1. Send Martin to AAA
2. Send Navarro to AAA
3. Send Alomar to AAA
4. Trade Martin
5. Trade Navarro
6. Move Alomar to 1B where he gets 75% of the at bats there.
(3) is the best choice. (1) is most likely to happen. (6) would have happened if we were under previous management (JT).
vr, Xei
You mean the '05 Navarro that OPS'd .729, or the '06 Navarro who is OPS'ing .759?
Tough call.
If Martin gets sent back down, it falls under the category of "not losing your job due to injury". No harm done.
Assuming Navarro continues to play at his pre-injury level, both catchers should still maintain good trade value.
774 innings behind the plate.
156 2/3 innings at first base.
Choi played the most innings at first base last year. Saenz was second. Phillips third, then Kent, Myrow, Nakamura, and Grabowski.
I completely understand that. I played college baseball and still do some coaching on the side. He SHOULD have thrown to the cut off man...I just think something along the lines of "there's NO way he'd even consider go home" was running through his mind.
Basically Wilson just misjudged Eithier's ability to get to the plate and was more concerned about another runner getting in scoring position.
I'm coming down with something -- hopefully not serious -- and had to turn away the magic tickets. This cannot be a good sign for the Dodgers.
But I'm going to be sure to be careful the next time I act all high and mighty to you about what I know about positioning :) (whew).
Meanwhile everyone knows Bonds cheated, yet he still denies it. Hmmm...and he wonders why Bonds gets booed?
P.S. it only took 1/3 of an inning for Morgan to work Bonds into the broadcast...doesn't matter what game he does, he ALWAYS talks about Bonds...
a) Send Martin back down for more seasoning once Navaro returns. Trade Navarro in a package of prospects to get a star player.
b) Trade Navarro in a package of prospects now!
I know Flanders and Mr. Southern Drawl will never go with Martin & Navarro.
yeah, I shouldn't have said somebody didn't screw up...because obviously they did. I guess I'm just giving Wilson the benefit of the doubt on that one because he probably thought there was no way Eithier would go home...same way I feel about the Roberts/Lofton thing the other night. Sure, Roberts was technically wrong, but I give him the benefit of the doubt because, really, how often do we see that happen?
Anyone think it's likely that Navarro gets packaged with Izzy? I could see that happening to sweeten the pot for a potential trading partner...
According to Retrosheet, Rick Monday hit the most home runs off of Tom Seaver of any hitter.
11.
Wha Happened?!!
Someone's got a case of the sophmore slump.
(sorry, the allergy meds are talking...)
Brian Schneider, Wiki Gonzalez, Matt Lecroy and Robert Fick currently make up the Nats catching rotation.
Schneider seems to be the starter, and is OPS'ing .570 on the year.
I'm not ready to give up Guzman...now, if we end up with someone named Cabrera or Dunn then Im willing to talk...but other than that, Guzman just has too much power potential to give up for anyone other than a star.
One common demonimator: Both Aybar and Martin consistently had shown a good hitting approach in the minors. They knew what worked for them. They recognized pitches well. They were fairly consistent. And their K/W ratios were pretty solid, month after month -- even though both were fairly young for their respective leagues.
Aren't the Yankees playing at home?
However I was also thinking in terms of defense. Not blocking pitches in the dirt in addition to the drop in throwing out base stealers -- .214 last year, which isn't great, but beats .000 this year.
Unfortunately, there's to much Purple here a mile up and precious little Blue (Bad Altitude, indeed), so it's difficult to check these kinds of things out for myself.
I am willing to give up Guzman, Laroche, and Navarro for Cabrera. I will thrown in Orrenduff if we have to.
46
Check out what Blanton was doing on May 10th of last year and this shouldn't surprise you. I even remember a DT poster saying his lack of dominance would doom him to mediocrity. Didn't happen and won't happen this year. If he's not hurt he'll right his ship and be a big part of the A's run to the WS.
No one has been able to throw out a runner while wearing the Dodger blue in so long, that I hardly even notice anymore (and it can't be each catcher's fault completely, can it?).
If I can read the splits right his ERA in May 2005 was 13.82 in 5 starts. How many pitchers would have been allowed to pitch in June? If he had been Jay Seo he would have been hung in effigy here. Luckily the A's are a patient team.
Never say never, but I think we have much more to lose from a trade of one of these catchers than we have to gain.
I am not supporting trading either one with Izturis just for the sake of trading, but if we want a star player it is an area of strength for us, while it is a weak position for most teams. Honestly, Cabrera is the only player I want us to trade for right now and the Marlins need a catcher.
They DLed Repko...per Dodger Blog
Repko's sprained ankle looks like it'll keep him off the field for at least a week, so we've DL'd him and recalled Willy Aybar, who will be here by game time.
Damn, too bad about Rekpo (even tho I like Aybar), because I do enjoy watching him play, his antics, if you will, and was hoping to see him Saturday when I see them live in SF. Oh well.
My hunch is that Guzman and Young both need to play everyday right now, and the other outfielders are just filler but how long does Martinez hang around, he really doesn't play, Saenz is your top RH PH (or Nomar is if he isn't starting) and with Lofton and Drew always needing a day off, they will need another outfielder before 2 weeks runs out.
The A's have almost come back.
Houston:2, Dodgers:1
WP: Qualls
LP: Saito
SV: Lidge
This is not what I want but just tossing it out there, however with Lima Time being one more blowout away, you have to wonder how long will they keep 12 pitchers......
That is way more than I am hoping for haha.
Isn't it weird to have a fast catcher? I was a bit worried that Martin was overhyped but he has quickly become my favorite player.
Nate has covered this but Kemp was exonerated of hitting the opposing manager after an investigation by the team.
He should. Old, grandmothers in wheelchairs included!
A DL stint for Mueller now might not be a bad idea if he's got a nagging problem. I'd much rather have him on the shelf now than in September.
That did not last long.
Bill Mueller is in the midst of a 4-31 with 1bb slump.
Hopefully the Dodgers just believe Willy Aybar is a better option, both for the present and in building for the future. Aybar should be starting, with Mueller on the bench.
Can you tell me were I can find what he said?
I guess Martinez is the emergency outfielder.
thanks
I don't think you'll see Martinez there, either. But as little as I think of Martinez, if he ends up in the outfield for half a game or a game instead of Aybar, it's not worth wringing our hands.
Can we at least grit our teeth?
A. Judging a player based on 20 AB's.
B. Pinch hitting for that player, with another player thats hit .176 in 85 ABs
Why couldnt the Pirates have come to terms with Ken Macha?
115 - LAT's daughter had better stay away from Ken's post about his daughters the other day, the one where they all visited Weirderland...
Did someone mention trading Navarro to them? I haven't bothered reading the previous posts :)
I mentioned it and yeah, Willingham has been permanently moved to outfield, well at least this year.
Is that uh-bomb or A-bomb?
I do not understand where that came from. But, Hurricane if the last name was Carter.
Did Bob Dylan already write a song about Russell Martin?
Don't you find it strange that your commenting on how A Perez's 20 at bats mean nothing but in post 103 your moving Mueller to the bench because he's in a slump based on 31 at bats?
Which year of Russ Martin?
"My cleat got stuck in the wall and the rest of my body kept going and put a lot of pressure on my ankle. That's when I felt the pop," Repko said. "So before I even came down, I knew I had sprained it. I couldn't tell you if it was worth going for it or not, but that's the way I play the game. If I think I have a chance for it, I'm going to go up for it. I've done this my whole career, even in the minor leagues. I'm just hoping that one of these days I'm going to get it."
Someone should tell Repko that a 1st inning homerun is meaningless compared to missing two weeks. He wasn't close to the ball from the replays I've seen. If your going to get hurt banging into walls and jumping over walls pick your spots. If you play that way every inning of every game you'll never last. He's not good enough to spend much time in his career on the DL. He could easily find that they found someone better.
are the clipers still in the playoffs (sorry if it sounds dumb)
Yeah, against Suns.
Hopefully the Clipper/Sun game 2 will be just as exciting as game 1 with a better ending. That was a fun game to watch.
I never knew that there was such a point.
from what I've heard his days are #, atleast as a Dodger.
he's a good guy I hope he gets well soon.
Mueller's AB's have been rather consistent. I dont think A Perez's AB's have been. It might just be that Perez isnt very good when he only plays once a week or pinch hits.
My main point was subbing Dan Johnson (who's been horrible for most of the season (85ABs)), for a player with only 20ABs was a bad move. And then to top it off, Macha put in the .200 batting Scutaro after DJ pinch hit. It just made little sense. I wasnt implying Antonio Perez should be starting, but rather should not have been pinch hit for by a player batting .176.
"Je" "ff" "Kent"
"I'm gonna bring my beachball."
Or whatever he said lol.
Were you aware of Ruth's relative's disdain for Bonds? Thought the Griddle might find that a little interesting.
Sun rises.
We may need to form a support group, Miltie. Stat.
Hmmm...Catch-22. In order to be traded at the deadline, Kent probably needs to be playing well. Yet, the better he plays, the better the team will be and thus the less likely he will be traded at the deadline.
I think I'll stay the course.
Linda Tosetti, Babe Ruth's granddaughter
http://tinyurl.com/hhb85
I know you guys hate him, but my Giants fan friends wish to death they still had Kent. It hurts them to see him do well as a Dodger.
Think of it like you're sleeping with your enemy's ugly wife. You really want nothing to do with her, but boy is it fun to make the #%*&! cry.
(#%*&!=your enemy)
Jeff Kent = my enemy
Am I supposed to care how this person feels because her grandfather could hit homeruns? I am really sick of the Bonds bashing. Blame MLB for allowing Bonds to use steroids, because no one tested him for it.
I understand. Try sleeping with his wife.
Now, I'm going to watch the Clippers game.
If there all healthy and not senile you got a ROW.
I actually "know" a couple on another message board who go to church with the Kents. I think they know Kent's wife. I'll see if they can set something up for me...
Then again, considering what happened in the A's game, I'd like to see a few more on the board. Just in case. =P
We all know Bonds is a jerk. I do not need to be told every day of this or who we find out hates Bonds today. It is just burying the guy. Let him play and have some enjoyment since he is going to be kicked out of the game soon. I really have no problem with adult men taking steroids. I liked it when people could throw 98 mph and people were hitting homeruns. It was fun. Bending the rules and cheating has always been a part of baseball and performance enhancers will always be a part of sports.
188 - Umm... Because he's a Giant. Schaudenfreude, baby! :)
" We're on Fire "
So are all the sell-outs who root for Kent just because he dons a Dodger uniform.
(I kid, I kid)
This may be cold, but you have to teach your kids to not do steroids and if they do it anyways because of Barry Bonds then that is their own problem frankly.
The man is not down.
How naive to let people have their own responsbility in life.
I did. It was obvious that something was afoul.
Mine is one small voice, however.
And the grammar/spelling Nazi in me forces me to point out that it's 'perjury.'
That is not accurate.
I meant MLB and this other prominent baseball officials and players. At least, I do not remember many people saying anything.
If, despite all that, the child chooses to make a life-altering choice based on the decision of one very rich and famous individual, I find it difficult to really believe that particular child would not have found some other way to rationalize that choice in the long run anyway.
Your kid should know the consequences of doing steroids. It is up to him to make the smart decision.
Thank you, I do not feel so naive.
Kent's situation is nothing compared to Damon back east. This guy stated he'd rather piss on pinstripes than play in them. Six month later he took a few million more to be able to cut his hair and shave his face to be able to join the Yankees. Hey, this is baseball today!
This has been a great evening so far - I got to see and then meet my favorite fiction writer, George Saunders, got his autograph and talked to him.
Then came home to see the Dodgers are up 6-zip and Furcal and Kent continue their participation in our "Are they out of their slumps yet?" program. Let's see if Tomko can make this stand.
"Mueller... Mueller... Mueller?"
I agree with you, but it is still an individual's choice. Besides, isn't that MLB and ESPN and other media outlets fault for his glorification?
Obviously there are a lot of social factors at work, I am not denying that. I just do not think we should punish a guy more because he is a "role model". He should be punished for breaking the law.
If he runs into any touble we have Odalis in the pen.
This game's as good as won.
If someone at my school who is poor gets caught doing roids he is likely to spend some time in jail. Bonds lies to a grand jury but is still not even fined. It seems to me that he is not being punished at all yet alone more than someone who is not a "Role Model"
If "ubiquitous" means "fat jerkhead" I agree.
Nice to look at but you would rather feel the real thing.
Ok, I understand where you are coming from. My friend and I had a discussion about this when it comes to Lil Kim. True, he probably will get off easier than you or I would, but that is a problem with the concept of celebrity.
Nice to look at but you would rather feel the real thing.
-thats just a funny sentence
I hoped it would sound that way.
That's a good one.
I would have an opinion on the play except that I was asleep as my body is trying to right the ship from a weird sleep schedule the past week or so.
Retarded.
It's probaly too complicated for the average professional athlete.
GAH.
-head explodes-
I think such a plan would be very, very, very, very hard to work. And prone to lots of misunderstandings.
j/k
okay back to your regular scheduled program.
Thank you for abducting Brett Tomko. You can just keep him if you want, because we kinda like the advanced robotic replacement you have left us. As they say in your parts, Roswell that Ends Well.
Sincerely,
Capdodger
I dont know what that is...
hehe
New Mike Patton album. It's Mike Patton doing pop music. Funny to hear Norah Jones swear on a song.
space!
>0 ?
NOOOOOOMMMMMMMAAHHHHHHH
my new ultimatum was at least 15bbs by the time of his 200th AB. It looks like he is going to make that. Good job guzzie. small steps young man, small steps.
Power outage? What power outage?
I doubt there are too many Ducks fans on this site. Maybe a couple. I follow hockey, but I've been a Kings fan. But as in baseball where I also like the Angels, I just like the Dodgers more.
I think that the Ducks could go to the Final and no one down here will notice.
Contrary to my earlier statements, I don't dislike hockey. I disliked my cable system using two channels to show identical hockey games while not showing baseball games I paid for.
I completely agree, we had that problem too with our cable system. I pay real attention during the playoffs because there are too many other sports to follow during the regular season.
Since I will be in the U.S. for the conference finals, I'm concerned.
The Kings and Ducks both have won their only conference final series.
My philosophy of life can pretty much be summed up as "always go for the laugh". Even when it gets you in trouble.
It's not his fault he has bad stuff. Wait, is it?
I was out of town for a while, & was gonna ask if he's pitched any better when I was gone, because everytime I see him he dosn't impress me.
what do you mean?
Irony.
I think the Irony Court is going to rule against you on calling that irony.
Milk was a baaad choice.
Aybar put on his dancing shoes tonight.
Something like, "There it is. He hit it."
How ironic!
Good call, I can picture Vinnie saying it that way.
That is one of the most quotable movies ever.
Totally. It does not work as well when you call your friends and they know all the lines. Takes the fun out of it.
The Ali G/Borat soundboards are the best.
Points for Grady.
Or wearing your Giants' NL Championship ring while GMing for the Dodgers?
Hamulack, DEAD!
Osorio, DEAD!
Baez, DEAD!
Baez looks good.
"The door's closed, the light's are out, the eggs are cooling, the butter's getting hard, and the Jell-o's jiggling."
1-1, home court back on our side. Let's get'r done!
All that said.... When's Gagne coming back again?
night folks!
And immediately get DEMOLISHED by the evil evil evil New Jersey Devils?
Some fun tonight.
Where can you look up WXRL?
I hope I'm wrong-but its not an unusual way to be a .500 team, blow five and then win five.
I actually don't think saves is particularly meaningless. It's about as good as you can come up with for a group of situations to give credit for some level of performance. The SABR guys have come up with all manner of - rightfully - far more effective and accurate stats, but I feel as if I haven't heard anyone devise anything for a faster, better, stronger closer statistic. Unless you want to go across the board with Runs Prevented or the pitching equivalant to Win Shares Prevented or whatever it's called. The name escapes me.
Damn.
(Glad I missed the last 6 runs scored, btw. Flipping over to JJ Abrams crack-laced entertainment with a 9-0 lead paid off.)
4 blown saves and 7/11 inherited runners scoring will cause that.
Game 1: Devils 3, Ducks 0
Game 2: Devils 3, Ducks 0
Game 3: Ducks 3, Devils 2
Game 4: Ducks 1, Devils 0
Game 5: Devils 6, Ducks 3
Game 6: Ducks 5, Devils 2
Game 7: Devils 3, Ducks 0
Oh my! It was indeed a massacre!
Meanwhile, if you missed the highlights of the game on ESPN and feel bad, don't. The highlights consisted of talking about Tomko having a no hitter through 4, Mueller's error that was then changed to a hit, then a replay of same, and then Tomko throwing a runner out at first to keep his one-hitter. That was it. No home runs. No highlights of offense, nothing.
"And now, here's the 56th replay of Barry Bonds 4 homerless ABs tonight followed by yet more commentary."
Guzman, Young and Loney went 6 for 12.
The Clippers played great, completely dominated the Suns.
I guess the Dodgers bullpen is still horrible.
Something needs to be done about this...we can't have Ham giving up runs every time he comes in....bring up Gio (I can't believe I just wrote that).
You have a great wife
Nice to see Kaman and Mobley have great games after their poor showings in game 1.
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